Latest news with #independentinvestigation
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australian Human Rights Commission president calls for end to police investigating deaths in police custody
The president of the Australian Human Rights Commission has urged police to stop investigating the deaths of people who have died in police custody after the death of an Aboriginal man who was restrained by police in an Alice Springs supermarket, saying the practice 'breeds mistrust' and 'a lack of accountability'. It comes as the Northern Territory coroner, Judge Elisabeth Armitage, released a statement affirming that the mandatory inquest into Kumanjayi White's death would be 'independent, fair and rigorous'. White, a 24-year-old man with several disabilities, died on 27 May after being restrained by two off-duty, plainclothes police officers following an alleged scuffle at a Coles supermarket in the central Australian town. The AHRC president, Hugh de Kretser, joined calls from the Warlpiri man's family, advocates and federal senators who say the investigation into his death should be independent from the NT police force. The family have repeatedly demanded an independent investigation, the release of CCTV footage and for the officers involved to be stood down while the investigation is ongoing. On Wednesday they held a vigil outside the Alice Springs courthouse, their third since White's death. De Kretser used his June message to urge an independent investigation. 'Community trust is critical for effective policing,' he wrote. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'Communities experiencing disadvantage need the best of policing and yet often receive the worst. It's why the response to these, and other deaths in custody, is critical. 'When police investigate themselves, it breeds mistrust and increases the risks of poor investigations and a lack of accountability.' He said while coronial inquests 'bring a measure of independence', they still relied on evidence gathered by police. Victoria's Yoorook Justice Commission recommended the establishment of an independent police oversight authority to investigate and report on all deaths after contact with police, similar to the police ombudsman in Northern Ireland. De Kretser said all Australian jurisdictions should establish such a body. 'Until they do, the mistrust and injustice that flows from police investigating themselves will continue,' he said. Yoorook made the recommendation in its 2023 criminal justice report, in which the former chief commissioner of Victoria police, Shane Patton, 'agreed that the police oversight system would be strengthened if there was independent investigation of police complaints', De Kretser wrote. White was from Yuendumu, a community rocked by the fatal 2019 shooting of Kumanjayi Walker by an NT police officer, Zachary Rolfe. Rolfe was charged with murder but acquitted of all charges in a supreme court trial. The inquest into Walker's death, which heard shocking stories of racism in NT police, was due to hand down its findings this week but the date was pushed back to next month due to concerns about community tension after White's death. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion On Thursday the NT coroner announced the appointment of Dr Peggy Dwyer SC and Maria Walz as senior counsel and instructor assisting for the inquest into White's death. 'The Counsel Assisting team are highly experienced in the conduct of complex inquests, in NT Police practice and in knowledge of, and engagement with, Alice Springs and Yuendumu-based agencies and broader community,' Armitage said. 'Appointment of an experienced team at this early stage will help to ensure that the inquest is comprehensive and that it is completed in an independent and timely manner.' De Kretser's comments follow national rallies in solidarity with the Warlpiri community and in response to the death last week of another Aboriginal man in custody in Darwin. The 68-year-old from the remote community of Wadeye died in intensive care at Darwin hospital about a week after Australian federal police arrested him in response to reports he was 'intoxicated' and unable to board a flight out of Darwin. NT police said the cause of death was undetermined, pending a postmortem examination. He was a respected and senior elder who lobbied for bilingual schooling and better education funding for his community. The NT police and government have repeatedly ruled out another jurisdiction taking over the Alice Springs investigation. NT police have been contacted for further comment. Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support; or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
ABC News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
NT police acting commissioner questioned at budget estimates over Kumanjayi White death investigation
The Northern Territory's acting police commissioner has provided further detail about why police believe the investigation into Kumanjayi White's death should not be outsourced to an external body, during NT budget estimates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family. Mr White, a 24-year-old Aboriginal man, died two weeks ago after he was restrained by plain-clothed police officers in an Alice Springs supermarket, after he allegedly assaulted a security guard in the store. Mr White's family, the NT's two largest land councils and several politicians have called for an independent investigation into his death, which the NT Police Force (NTPF) has ruled out. Responding to questions at budget estimates in NT parliament on Tuesday, NT Police Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said the investigation was not "something we can just hand to somebody else". "It's not simply a matter that we can bring in an external body that doesn't have any powers," he said. "The [NT] Police Administration Act establishes the Northern Territory Police Force for the purpose of preventing, investigating and detecting crimes. In recent years, South Australian officers have been temporarily sworn in to the NT Police Force during deployments to Alice Springs. NT Police have been contacted for comment about why an individual or body from outside the territory could not be sworn in to investigate Mr White's death. In budget estimates, Acting Commissioner Dole said there were "quite strict policies and procedures in place" regarding "serious incidents or deaths involving police contact with the public". "There's a standing general order on that," he said. "We've also got oversight [by] the Northern Territory Ombudsman and the Northern Territory [Independent Commissioner Against Corruption] and direction of the coroner as well, in regards to investigating [Mr White's death]." Mr White's family has called for the police officers involved in apprehending him to be stood down while the investigation occurs. Asked about those calls, Acting Commissioner Dole said the standing down of police officers was "a decision for the Professional Standards Command". "It depends what's being investigated and what evidence is available at the time," he said. "So just because a matter sits in the current realm of a criminal investigation doesn't necessarily dictate that a member would be stood down. "[It] depends how evidence is available and what stage the criminal investigation reaches before that decision's made in conjunction with [the] Professional Standards Command." Mr White's family has also called on police to provide them with all CCTV and body-worn footage of the incident. Acting Commissioner Dole said he was not leading the investigation and so could not "give assurances on behalf of those that are". "But probably a simple answer to that is while it remains a criminal investigation, that footage is an exhibit and that integrity of that needs to be maintained," he said. Labor's two NT Indigenous representatives in federal parliament, Malarndirri McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour, are among those who have suggested an external body could investigate Mr White's death. Senator McCarthy has said an independent investigation "may be warranted", while Ms Scrymgour has called for the Australian Federal Police to handle the probe. Sitting beside Acting Commissioner Dole in budget estimates, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro criticised the contributions of both Senator McCarthy and Ms Scrymgour, labelling their comments "appalling". "They should know better," she said. 'This is a very sad time for the community. Obviously, our police have an incredibly important job to do and the politicisation of this issue helps no one." Ms Finocchiaro has previously condemned Senator McCarthy — the federal Indigenous Australians minister — for her comments, labelling them "entirely unhelpful". "I stand by the comments I've made because, quite frankly, Senator McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour have been members of parliament for a very, very long time, both at the territory level and at a federal level," she said during budget estimates. "They most certainly should know better." A third Alice Springs vigil for Mr White is due to be held on Wednesday.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus
San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a special meeting Thursday afternoon in which they are expected to decide on initiating the process to remove embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus from office. Supervisors gained the power to remove the sheriff after 84% of voters approved Measure A in a special election in March. The measure temporarily amended the County Charter to remove a sheriff from office for cause. Corpus has been facing months of scrutiny following a scathing independent report released last November by retired judge LaDoris Cordell into allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office. Cordell's report made multiple accusations against the sheriff, including intimidation, retaliation, the use of racial and homophobic slurs and conflicts of interest. Corpus is also accused of having a personal relationship with Victor Aenelle, her chief of staff. The report concluded that "Sheriff Corpus step down and that Victor Aenlle's employment by the sheriff's office be terminated immediately. Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization." The sheriff has repeatedly denied the allegations and has refused multiple calls to resign from local leaders and Deputy Sheriff's Association, which led to supervisors calling for the special election. In April, Corpus released her own report rebuttting Cordell's investigation. Corpus has also filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county, alleging discrimination and harassment. Under Measure A, removal of Corpus requires a four-fifths majority vote by the board of supervisors and Corpus will have an opportunity to defend her case. The board's authority to remove the sheriff expires at the end of 2028. Corpus, the county's first Latina sheriff, was elected in 2022. Thursday's board meeting is scheduled take place at the Board Chambers in Redwood City at 1 p.m.
Al Jazeera
04-06-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
Aboriginal community shaken by second death in Australian police custody
The family of Kumanjayi White are asking for CCTV footage and an independent investigation a week after the 24-year-old died in police custody at a supermarket in Alice Springs, Central Australia. 'The young Warlpiri man who died in police custody in Coles [supermarket] in Alice Springs on Tuesday May 27 is my Jaja [grandson],' White's grandfather, Warlpiri leader Ned Hargraves, said in a statement on Tuesday. 'We know that he was held down by two police until he lost consciousness and perished. But at the moment we are in the dark about what really happened,' Hargraves added. 'Family representatives need to see all available footage of this incident immediately – both CCTV and body cam so we can understand what happened to my Jaja,' he said. 'But so far they are refusing to grant this.' While details are still emerging of the circumstances surrounding the death, Hargraves said his grandson had been living in supported accommodation because of disabilities. 'He needed support and not to be criminalised because of his disability,' Hargraves said. Gene Hill, who previously worked at the supermarket, told public broadcaster ABC that he knew the victim. 'One glance at him and you can see he's got special needs,' said Hill, adding that the supermarket required interpreters and Indigenous security guards to help with the language barrier between English and local Indigenous languages. The Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) said last week that White 'stopped breathing' after he was 'restrained' by two plainclothes police officers. The 'police will now investigate this matter on behalf of the coroner', the NTPF added, in a statement. Independent federal senator Lidia Thorpe, Northern Territory community group Justice Not Jails, and human rights organisation Amnesty International are among those supporting the family's calls for an independent investigation. Northern Territory Senator and federal Australian minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy last week acknowledged the 'many traumas' the Warlpiri community in the remote Yuendumu area, where White hailed from, had experienced and said 'calls for an independent investigation may be warranted'. 'It may be important to do that, given that there is such tension,' McCarthy, from the centre-left Labor federal government said, according to the ABC. But Northern Territory (NT) Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro told ABC Radio Darwin 'it is entirely appropriate' for the NT police to investigate. 'This is exactly what happens for all deaths in custody,' Finocchiaro, from the conservative Country Liberal Party (CLP), said. Finocchiaro dismissed McCarthy's comments as 'really unhelpful' and 'uneducated'. 'If she wants to support the people of Yuendumu and people concerned about this, then the best thing she can do is use her powerful voice to call for calm and confidence in the NT Police Force,' Finocchiaro said. The Justice Not Jails advocacy group said the Country Liberal Party's 'tough on crime' approach in the Northern Territory had contributed to increased policing of Aboriginal people like White, in the lead up to his death. 'Kumanjayi White's death has occurred in the context of the CLP's relentless and racist attacks on Aboriginal families and communities,' Justice Not Jails said in a statement. 'These attacks include reforms to bail and sentencing that have significantly increased the number of Aboriginal people in prison, increasing the risk of further deaths in custody,' the group said. A candlelight vigil was held for White in Sydney on Sunday, with more protests planned around Australia in the coming days. Kumanjayi White's death comes six years after nineteen year old Kumanjayi Walker was shot by Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe. The two deaths at the hands of police have left the small community of Yuendumu, which has a population of about 870 people and is located some 293 km (182 miles) from Alice Springs, reeling. Northern Territory coroner Elisabeth Armitage was due to deliver the findings of the inquest into Walker's death in 2019 next week, however, at the request of the family this has been deferred. The Northern Territory Courts said the findings will 'now be handed down on July 7 in either Yuendumu or Alice Springs'. The inquest into Walker's death began after a jury found former soldier-turned police officer Zachary Rolfe was 'not guilty' of murdering Walker in March 2022. Walker's death prompted widespread protests around Australia, as one of 595 Indigenous people to have died in police custody since a 1991 Royal Commission. White's grandfather Hargraves pointed out that his grandson died on the fifth anniversary of the death of George Floyd, whose death in the United States prompted worldwide Black Lives Matter protests. White's death also occurred during Reconciliation Week in Australia, he added. 'I am angry and frustrated that yet another one of our young men has lost his life at the hands of the police,' Hargraves said. 'Has our community not gone through enough?'A post shared by Justiceforwalker_ (@justiceforwalker_)
ABC News
30-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
NT police rule out independent investigation into Alice Springs death in custody
NT police have rejected calls for an independent investigation into the death of an Aboriginal man in police custody after being restrained at an Alice Springs supermarket this week. The 24-year-old from Yuendumu — who is yet to be named by family — died on Tuesday after he was restrained by NT police officers following an altercation with a supermarket security guard. One eye witness told the ABC the restraint "looked pretty violent". On Wednesday Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said he would lead the investigation and "provide oversight" along with NT Police's Professional Standards Command, separately to the coronial investigation. There have been calls from advocates, including Amnesty International, for the investigation to be conducted independently from NT police to "ensure impartiality and to maintain public confidence in the process". Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said on Thursday an independent investigation into the man's death could be the best path forward. Senator McCarthy said the people of Yuendumu had already experienced "many traumas", and that wounds were reopened this week. She said the best way to navigate the complex issues at play may be to take the investigation out of the Northern Territory police's hands. Ms McCarthy did not suggest which agency should investigate instead, saying that decision would lie with NT Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro. "I am calling on her to recognise the tensions that do exist, that I've certainly heard from family members, but also are very aware of the difficulties for members of the police force as well," she said. Amid a vigil in Alice Springs that saw hundreds of mourners gather to give speeches and grieve the young man's death, NT police released a statement on behalf of Acting Commissioner Martin Dole, who said he "respectfully" rejects calls for an independent investigation. "The Northern Territory Police Force acknowledges the tragic death of a 24-year-old man in Alice Springs on Tuesday," the statement said. "On behalf of NT police, I extend sincere condolences to his family, friends and community. "I contacted both officers directly involved in the incident on Tuesday evening, and I understand the high level of public interest in this matter. Some of the speakers at the vigil in Alice Springs on Friday had echoed calls for the independent investigation. The acting commissioner said the incident would continue to be investigated by the major crime division. He said the unit "operates under strict protocols and with full transparency". "The investigation will also be independently reviewed by the NT Coroner, who has broad powers to examine all aspects of the incident and make findings without interference." The acting commissioner said he had met with Senator McCarthy, conveying his "complete confidence in the systems of oversight".
